It was the third season and Izzy Stevens (Katherine Heigl) had to donate bone marrow for her daughter. In a scene rife with melodrama, there was an abnormally large needle, and enough pain to ensure that she could not even stand afterward.

Then after I found out more about the process via a family member, I realized that such medical drama scenes don't do any favors to patients such as Nguyen, who needs a bone marrow transplant in order to effectively treat, and perhaps even cure, his blood cancer. I've since stopped watching Grey's Anatomy.

Here's the truth to bone marrow and stem cell donation, something that is not detailed in the article and which is not commonly known:

A majority of bone marrow donations are done using a non-invasive procedure where blood is taken out of a donor, the stem cells are removed, and the remaining platelets are reinjected into the donor's body. This is called a peripheral blood stem cell donation. To increase the number of blood-forming cells in the bloodstream, Filistrim injections are given for five days.

The other, less common method, comprises of liquid marrow being collected straight from the bone via a hollow needle. It is done under anesthesia and the donor may feel sore afterward.

But, overall, there are no lasting side effects and the bone marrow replenishes itself in a few days. And unlike some organ donations, the donor can give while still alive with no risks. In this case, to coin a cliche phrase, a little bit does go a long way.